Sterilizing apparatus.



PATENTED MAY 5, 190s.v 0. H. HOFFMAN. STERILIZING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 19, 1902.

2 SHBETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

ll HI I h; I

THE mums PEIERS cn. Pnu'muma, wnsmunmu. n. c,

PATENTED MAY 5,1903.

0. H. HOFFMAN. STERILIZING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL Tuz'nowms FETERS co. Pnoxou'mu. WASNINGTON, n. c

NITED STATES Patented May5, 1903.

FFrcE.

ATENT STERILIZING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,926, dated May 5, 1903.

Application filed May 19, 1902. Serial No. 1081142- (No model.)

To all whom it ntrty concern:

Be it known that LOLINH. HOFFMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Thomas, in the county of Tucker and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and useful Sterilizing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the production of thermic phenomena in fluid mediums with a view to the accomplishment of those practical results hereinafter noted, as well as many others well known and those not now anticipated which may be rendered possible through the application of this invention; and my invention relates more particularly to simple, novel, and effective apparatus for accomplishing said results.

The objects of myinvention are to produce apparatus capable of subjecting materials and objects to the action of gases, vapors, and liquids under various thermic conditions and to any or all of said actionsand conditions in any order of succession-for example,sterilizing materials and objects, such as surgical instruments, utensils, appliances, and materials, by the application of dry heat, as heated air, or of moist heat, as steam or boiling water, or first dry heating said materials and objects and then applyingsteam or amedicated vapor thereto, or the application of a vapor and subsequent drying, or the preparation and preservation of food, &c.

To these ends myinvention consists of the novel arrangement ofa receptacle, an inclosing chamber entirelysurrounding said receptacle, novel means of ingress and egress to said receptacle, and new and efficient governable means of intercommunication between said receptacle, said inclosing chamber, and the outer air, all hereinafter fully set forth, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference-letters indicate corresponding parts, and in which- Figure 1 is a view'in central longitudinal section of a sterilizer constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation of the same, parts of the door and easing being broken away to show the interior construction. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal view in section of a preferred form of valve for connecting the sterilizing-chamber with the inclosing chamber and the outer air.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the'same with the parts in another position, and. Fig. 5 is afragmentary view showing a modification of the means for supporting the receptacle. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View of a modification of the valve.

Referring to the drawings,A represents a receptacle whichmay be of any preferred form, in this instance arectangular box-like structure designed to contain the material or objects to be sterilized. The receptacle is inclosed by a hood or casing B, which rests in a water seal 0 of a pan 0, this latter constituting a vapor-generator and, together with the hood, forming an inclosing chamber enveloping said receptacle.

One of the faces or sides of the apparatus is considered as the front, and inthis the walls of the receptacle and inclosing-chamber are provided with registering circular apertures to admit of the deposit therein or removal therefrom of the articles to be treated or sterilized. These apertures are connected by a passage-way consisting of a flange a, secured to the receptacle and extending to engage therim b of the aperturein the hood B. The flange a is provided with two threaded portions a a forming a closure-seat for and adapted to be engaged by a closure which preferably consists of an inner door A and an outer ,door B, each of which carries a flange 0, b, externally threaded to correspond with the threads of said seat. Between the threaded portions a 'b'the flange a is provided with perforations 0, which connect the inclosing chamber with the compartment or space between the doors, so-that the closure when in position forms a continuation and completion of the inclosing chamber. Each door is provided with a suitable handle, by means of which it may be manipulated, and hermetic closure by each door is insured by gaskets a 0. the former being placed between the rim of door Band the rim 1) of the aperture in the inclosing-chamber'fwall and the latter between door A and a seat formed near the inner end .of the passageway or flange a. It will be observed that when'door B is screwed into its seat in the passage-way or flange a the rim of this flange is drawn and securely held against the edge of the aperture in the inclosing-chamber wall.

Although I have described the double closure as composed of two separate doors, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to that construction, as these doors may in some cases be suitably connected or secured together in such a manner as to form practically an integral double closure embodying an intermediate compartment, and a closurering may be added for closing perforations a at will.

As has been said, the hood is supported upon the water-pan by resting in a water seal 0. Instead of this construction, however, I may, when desired, omit the water seal and substitute a positive seal and provide suitable means for securing the hood to the water-pan in such manner that pressure maybe maintained within the apparatus. Suitable openings also may be provided in the hood for the attachment of safety-valves, pressuregages, thermometers, &c. The receptacle A is supported partly by means of valves D, which are secured to both the receptacle and hood, and partly, as shown in Fig. 1, by brackets or angle-pieces a secured to the receptacle and extending outwardly and downwardly to rest in the water seal, or, as shown in Fig. 5, it may be supported by a wire or rod bracket a bent to form a right angle, one leg of said angle being movably secured to the inner side of the hood near the lower edge thereof by means of staples a or other suitable means.

In order to control the admission of steam to the receptacle or sterilizing-chamber and to allow the escape of water of condensation and other liquid therefrom and also to permit the admission and emission of air to and from said chamber and to allow the escape of vapor therefrom to the outer air, I provide a valve (or preferably valves) D. I prefer to use three of these valves, two placed in the uppermost part of the apparatus and one at the lowermost part of the receptacle at one side, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, although a greater or less number may be employed, if desired. The bottom or floor of the receptacle is formed with a sloping portion A and a false bottom A to constitute a drain leading to said lowermost valve. The construction of these valves is similar and, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, consists of a cylinder cl, extending through suitable openings in the receptacle and inclosing-chamber wall and provided with a flange d, soldered to the receptacle A. A collar d is suitably secured to said cylinder to form an abutment or inner brace for theinclosing-chamber wall. In said cylinder intermediate the receptacle and in- I closing-chamber wall is an annular series of ports (Z which may be of any preferred nu mber. VVithiu the cylinder a hollow stein d' is mountcd,the hollow portion or channel therein effecting communication between the receptacle and the outer air, the outer end of the stem being internally threaded to receive the correspondingly externally threaded boss of a wide flange d, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or a plug (1 as shown in Fig. 6, by which the valve-stem may be manipulated. When the flange construction is used, I preferably provide a threaded nippled, secured to its outer face in any suitable manner to receive acap, a gasket (1 being provided to form a hermetic closure. In Fig. 6 this gasket is shown interposed between the plug and valve-stem.

In order to prevent leakage around the valve-stem, I provide a stuffing-box at the out-er end of the cylinder formed by an internal flange d in said cylinder and a cap d", having a screw-thread connection with the cylinder and inclosing packing material d The cap cl also bears against a packing-ring or gasket d to press the same firmly against theinclosing-chamber wall, supported at this point by the collar (1 to form a hermetic closure for the opening in the inclosing-chamber wall through which the valve-cylinder passes.

At its inner end, or that nearest the receptacle, the valve-stem is shouldered at (Z to receive the piston, which comprises a head c1 abutting said shoulder, and a retaining-head d, having a screw-thread connection with the stem and securingthe packing 61 By this construction it will be seen the valvestem may be removed from the outside by merely turning the flange (1 thereby disengaging the stem from the piston-head d. The stuffing-box cap d may then be removed.

All parts of the apparatus may be readily taken apart for cleaning or repairs when nec essary or desirable.

In operation the device is simple and most effective. The pan 0, containing water or other liquid to be vaporized, is placed upon a stove or other suitable source of heat-supply aud the hood containing the receptacle placed thereon, with its lower edge in the water seal. The material'or objects to be sterilized are placed in the receptacle and the clo sure applied to the closure-seat. When the object is to be attained by dry heat alone, the valves are in the position shown in Fig. 3 and caps placed loosely upon the nipples (1, so that the heated air is released to prevent too great pressure, and steam is excluded from the receptacle or sterilizing-chamber. The steam generated in the pan rises and fills the inclosing chamber enveloping the receptacle, including the compartment inthe closure, to which it is admitted through the perforations a For the sterilization of certain materials and objects such as gauzes, bandages, surgical dressings, instruments, accessories, Ate.- it is desirable to use steam heat directly applied, and in such cases a preliminary dry heating, as above described, is first eifected, and steam is then admitted to the receptacle by drawing out the stems of the valves at the top of the apparatus to the position shown in Fig. 4 and closing tightly the caps on the valves D on top of the apparatus when communication between the inclosing chamber l and the receptacle is established through the ports d At the same time it is desirable to remove the cap from the nipple (Z of the valve at the lowermost part of the receptacle to permit escape of air from the receptacle. As soon as steam begins to issue from the stem this cap may be-replaced and the stem be drawn out to admit steam to the receptacle through this valve also and to permit any water of condensation which has accumulated or may accumulate in the receptacle to escape through its ports (1 into the pan again. By the above procedure, however, there is very little condensation within the receptacle, and the materials may be removed therefrom in almost a dry state.

When complete drying of the sterilized materials or articles is requisite or desirable, steam may be cut off from the receptacle by pushing in the valve-stems and removing one of the caps from or loosening it upon its nipple d to permit escape of moisture under influence of the heat applied to the exterior of the receptacle, as in the first instance given.

It will be observed that the receptacle may be removed with its contents intact from the inclosing chamber without opening the former or exposing the contents in any way. This is of especial advantage, because in manyinstances while the sterilizing heat kills the complete germ it does not kill the spores, so that the operation must be repeated for several successive days in order to kill the germs after they develop. In the meantime the receptacle, with its contents, must be kept intact.

The removal of the receptacle referred to in the last paragraph is effected by removing the door 13, using the valve of the form shown in Fig. 6, and removing its collar or stuffing-box d". The receptacle is then free, and the inclosing chamber B may be lifted 01'1": and another receptacle used for another full or fractional sterilization.

While I have described particularly my sterilizer as used in the above manner, it is obvious that the device is capable of operation in other ways not described, and while the embodiment of my invention herein described is designed primarily for use as a sterilizer it may also be used for other purposes, among which may be mentioned the cooking of food materials.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure'by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a sterilizing device, the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosing chamber enveloping said receptacle, registering apertures in the respective walls of said receptacle and chamber, a passage-Way between said apertures provided with surrounding walls continuously extended between the inner and outer receptacles, said walls provided with openings to said inclosing chamber, removas described.

able closures for said apertures embodying a compartment communicating with and completing said inclosing chamber through said openings, and retaining means in said passage-way for said closures, substantially as described.

2. In a sterilizing device, the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosin g chamber enveloping said receptacle, registering apertures in the respective walls of said receptacle and chamber, an inclosed passage-way between said apertures, screwthreaded closureseats at either extremity of said passage-way, said passage-way having openings in its walls communicating with said inclosing chamber intermediate said closure-seats, substantially as described.

3. In a sterilizing device, the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosing chamber enveloping said receptacle, registering apertures in the respective walls of said recepta cle and chamber, closure-seats at either eX- tremity of said passage-way, said passage-way communicating with said inclosing chamber intermediate said closure-seats, and the outer of said closure-seats having the greater diameter, substantially as described.

at. In a sterilizing device, the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosing chamber enveloping said receptacle, a valve between the receptacle and the inclosing chamber capa-. bio of operation from without said inclosing chamber located at the uppermost point of said receptacle, and a valve comprising the same features of construction located at the lowermost point of said receptacle, substantially as described.

5. In a sterilizing device, the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosing chamber enveloping said receptacle, a valve between the receptacle and the inclosing chamber capable ofoperation from without said inclosing chamber, embodying a governable passage between the receptacle and the outer air, said valve located at the uppermost point of said receptacle, and a valve comprising the same.

features of construction located at the lowermost point of said receptacle, substantially 6. In a sterilizing device, the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosing chamber en= veloping said receptacle, an aperture in the wall of said inclosing chamber, a cylindrical projection upon said receptacle extending through and without said aperture, a removable shoulder applied to the extended portion of said projection securing the receptacle to the wall of said inclosing chamber, substantially as described.

7. In a sterilizing device,the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosing chamber en veloping said receptacle, an aperture'in the wall of said inclosing chamber, a hollow cylindrical projection upon said receptacle ex-- tending through and without said aperture, a movable valve member in the cylindrical projection, and a stuffing-box in the extended IIO portion of said projection, the compressing element of said stuffing-box forming a removable shoulder securing the receptacle to the wall of the inclosing chamber, substantially as described.

8. In a sterilizing device, the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosing chamber enveloping said receptacle, an aperture in the wall of said inclosing chamber, a cylindrical projection upon said receptacle extending through and without said aperture, a shoulder upon said projection bearing upon the inner face of the inclosing chamber, and a removable shoulder applied to the extended portion of said projection securing said projection to the wall of said inclosing chamber, substantially as described.

9. In a sterilizing device, the combination with a receptacle, of an inclosing chamber enveloping said receptacle, an aperture in the wall of said inclosing chamber, a cylindrical projection upon said receptacle extending through and without said aperture, a shoulder upon said projection bearing upon the inner face of the inclosing chamber, and a stuffing-box in the extended portion of said projection, the compressing element of said stuifing-box formingaremovable shoulder securing the receptacle to the wall of the inclosing chamber, substantially as described.

10. In a sterilizing apparatus, an inner vessel or receptacle, an inclosing vessel forming a chamber about the inner receptacle, with an intervening space, alower containing vessel supporting and joined to the said inner and outer vessels by a sealed union, leaving free communication with the inclosed space between them, a valve having its casing permanently connected with the wall of the inner receptacle and extending through the intervening space to the wall of the outer or inclosing vessel, means normally joining said valve-casing also to the wall of the outer inclosing vessel, but detachable therefrom, and means controllable from without the outer vessel to connect the inner containing receptacle through thevalve with the intervening space, or to close the inner receptacle and disconnect the same from the outerinclosing vessel, whereby it may be removed therefrom in a closed condition, substantially as described.

11. In a sterilizing apparatus, an inner vessel or receptacle, an outer vessel to inclose the same with an intervening space, means for supplying heated vapors to said intervening space, a valve having a hollow casing with openings and a movable part cooperating therewith to establish communication between the intervening space and inner vessel or the intervening space and the outerairalternatively, together with a hollow stern for said valve extending without the outer vessel and having an external closure removable at will to open communication between the inner receptacle and the outside air, substantially as described.

12. In a sterilizing apparatus, an inner receptacle and an outer surrounding vessel with an intervening space between them, registering openings in said inner and outer vessels and covers or closures for said openings having an intervening space communicating with the open space between the vessels, the inner cover being secured directly to the walls of the inner receptacle and the outer cover having securing means extending through the opening in the outer or inclosing vessel to the walls of the inner receptacle, whereby said outer cover serves to connect the two vessels together when it is in position, but permits the inner receptacle to be removed at will without disturbing the inner closure, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Y OLIN I-I. HOFFMAN.

Witnesses:

M. G. HOFFMAN, J os. L. MILLER. 

